Waste container with security frame

ABSTRACT

A secured trash container system includes a container with side walls and an open top end, the side walls including engagement locations, and a protective frame. The frame includes: a base; a plurality of uprights mounted with the base and extending upwardly therefrom, two of the uprights being separated from each other to define an open front side; and a roof supported by the uprights. The base, uprights and roof define a storage cavity wherein the container resides. The roof covers the open top end of the container. The container is configured to pass through the open front side of the frame. In this configuration, the presence of the roof over the open top end of the container can prevent unwanted access to the container, but can permit the container to be emptied in a conventional manner by passing the container through the open front side of the frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to waste containers, andmore specifically to large waste containers that are emptied by acommercial waste company vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many businesses utilize a large waste container, located outsidethe building itself, to collect waste generated during the business day.Sometimes referred to as “dumpsters”, such containers may be as large asten cubic yards in volume. Many containers have a general box-typestructure and include multiple openings for access to the interior ofthe container. For example, a typical container is open on the top andhas sliding doors on one side, either of which provide access for thedisposal of waste.

[0003] In many instances, such containers are emptied by largecollection vehicles that lift the container and invert it above the bedof the vehicle, which allows waste within the container to drop into thevehicle bed through the open top end of the container. Typically thecontainer will include holes, rails, channels or other engagementstructures that engage the prongs of a forklift-type elevating deviceattached to the truck to enable the device to lift and manipulate thecontainer.

[0004] These types of containers, particularly when used by businesses,can have some security issues. First, other businesses and persons maydeposit their unwanted trash or hazardous materials in the container.This can raise the cost of trash collection for the business owner orthe collector, as many trash collection concerns charge their customersbased on the weight of the container. Second, many businesses sufferfrom employee theft, wherein the employee will hide a stolen item in thedumpster during his shift and return after his shift to collect theitem. Third, some materials (such as food) are scavenged from thecontainers.

[0005] Some attempts have been made to prevent unwanted use of thecontainers. One approach employs a lid on the container and a mechanicallocking system that keeps the lid in place when the container isupright. Any doors on the front wall of the container are locked exceptwhen trash is being deposited. When the container is inverted foremptying, the lid moves to an open position. However, the container andlid tend to be cumbersome (often the lid cannot be opened without acollection vehicle, or the lid may stick in the closed position duringemptying) and there have been durability concerns.

[0006] Another difficulty is that many trash collectors and landfillsassess fees for collection based on the weight of the trash within thecontainer. When the container is exposed to rain, the waste within thetrash can become much heavier, so the customer is charged extra. Lidsthat are typically used with containers of this type are generally notwatertight, so the customer may pay extra for collection of the samerefuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention can provide solutions to the aforementionedproblems with unwanted container usage. As a first aspect, embodimentsof the present invention are directed to a secured trash containersystem. The system comprises a container with side walls and an open topend, the side walls including engagement locations, and a protectiveframe. The frame includes: a base; a plurality of uprights mounted withthe base and extending upwardly therefrom, two of the uprights beingseparated from each other to define an open front side; and a roofsupported by the uprights. The base, uprights and roof define a storagecavity wherein the container resides. The roof covers the open top endof the container. The container is configured to pass through the openfront side of the frame. In this configuration, the presence of the roofover the open top end of the container can prevent unwanted access tothe container, but can permit the container to be emptied in aconventional manner by passing the container through the open front sideof the frame.

[0008] As a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention aredirected to a method of emptying trash from a trash containment system.The method comprises as a first step: (a) providing a trash containmentsystem, the system including a container with side walls and an open topend, the side walls including engagement locations, and a protectiveframe, the frame including: a base; a plurality of uprights mounted withthe base and extending upwardly therefrom, two of the uprights beingseparated from each other to define an open front side; and a roofsupported by the uprights, the base, uprights and roof defining astorage cavity; wherein the container resides in the storage cavity andthe roof covers the open top end of the container. The method furthercomprises the steps of: (b) engaging the container with a trashcollection vehicle; (c) translating the engaged container forwardlythrough the open front side of the frame with the vehicle; and (d)lifting and inverting the container over the vehicle to empty trashcontained in the container into the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the frame of acontainer security system of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a front view of the frame of FIG. 1 with an embodimentof a container that can be employed with a container security system ofthe present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a front view of the frame and container of FIG. 2indicating how the doors of the container can be opened for thedepositing of trash in the container.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a side view of the system of FIG. 2 with the prongs of acollection vehicle entering the channels of the container just prior toemptying.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a side view of the system of FIG. 4 with the prongs ofthe vehicle engaged in the container channels and the container slidingforward away from the frame.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a side view of a collection vehicle emptying thecontainer of FIG. 4.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the frame ofa container security system of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of theframe of a container security system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention will now be described more fullyhereinafter, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may beexaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element isreferred to as being “attached”, “connected” or “coupled” to anotherelement, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element orintervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” toanother element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0018] Turning now to the figures, a secure container system, designatedbroadly at 10, is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. The system 10 includes aframe 12 and a container 30, each of which is described separatelybelow.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, the frame 12 is a skeletal structure. Itincludes a pair of crossbeams 14 that rest on the underlying surface, apair of lower guide rails 16 that are attached to opposite ends of thecrossbeams 14 (the crossbeams 14 and the guide rails 16 together forminga base 15), two vertically-disposed front uprights 18 that rise fromintermediate portions of the lower side rails 16, twovertically-disposed rear uprights 20 that rise from rear end portions ofthe lower side rails 16, and a roof 24. Flanges 23 extend laterally fromthe front and rear uprights 18, 20 to provide locations to bolt orotherwise attach the frame 12 to the underlying surface.

[0020] As used herein, the terms “forward”, “front” and derivativesthereof refer to the direction defined by a vector extending from eachrear upright 20 of the frame 12 toward its corresponding front upright18 parallel to the underlying surface. Conversely, the terms “rearward”and derivatives thereof refer to the direction directly opposite theforward direction; i.e. the rearward direction is defined by a vectorthat extends from each front upright 18 toward its corresponding rearupright 20 parallel to the underlying surface. The forward and rearwarddirections together comprise the “longitudinal” direction relative tothe system 10. The term “outward”, “lateral” and derivatives thereofrefer to the direction defined by a vector originating in the center ofthe frame 12 and extending in the plane of the underlying surface andperpendicular to the forward and rearward directions. The terms“inboard”, “inward” and derivatives thereof refer to the directiondirectly opposite to the lateral direction as defined hereinabove. Theoutward and inward directions together comprise the “transverse”directions relative to the system 10.

[0021] A roof 24 is mounted on the front and rear uprights 18, 20 viadowndwardly-extending lower edges 21. The roof 24 spans the distancebetween these mounting locations both longitudinally and transversely toprovide a cover for the frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, thecentral portion 26 of the roof 24 slopes downwardly from front to rearto encourage drainage of rain water. Preferably, the roof 24 formed toprevent the entry of water to the structures below it.

[0022] The components comprising the frame 12 define an internal storagecavity 25. The storage cavity 25 is typically between about five andtwelve cubic yards in volume in order to house the container 30, but maybe of other sizes.

[0023] Those skilled in this art will recognize that the aforementionedmembers of the frame 12 can take a variety of configurations. They aretypically formed of steel, but may also be formed of other metallicmaterials. The lower guide rails 16 are illustratively and preferablyformed of angled members that can provide guides for the container 30 asit is moved into and out of the frame 12. The lower guide rails 16 aremounted inwardly slightly from the front and rear uprights 18, 20 viagussets 17 a to conform to the shape of the typical container 30.Similarly, the lower edges 21 of the roof 24 preferably include guides22 to assist the container 30 as it moves within the frame 12. The lowerguide rails 16 also include stops 17 at their rearward ends.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, the container 30 includes a floor 32supported by feet 33, a front wall 34 with sliding doors 36, opposingside walls 38, and a rear wall 40 (shown in FIG. 4). These form abox-like structure with an open upper end 42 (see FIG. 6). In theillustrated embodiment, the side walls 38 are recessed at their bottomends. The sliding doors 36 allow access to the cavity of the container30. Of course, the sliding doors 36 may be located at other locations onthe container 30 (for example, on either of the side walls 38) to permitaccess to the cavity of the container 30. Typically, the front and sidewalls 34, 38 are sufficiently tall that their upper edges are positionedbetween about 1 and 3 inches (preferably between about 2 and 2.5 inches)from the roof 24 of the frame 12, thereby preventing the insertion ofmost waste into the container through a gap between the walls 34, 38 andthe roof 24. Typically, the container cavity has a volume of betweenabout four and ten cubic yards.

[0025] A longitudinally-extending channel 44 is attached to each sidewall 38. Each channel 44 is sized and positioned to receive a prong orother engagement component from a trash collection vehicle (describedbelow). In the illustrated embodiment, the channels 44 extend over muchof the longitudinal distance between the front wall 34 and the rear wall40 and are continuous, although they need not be. Alternatives to thechannel 44 may include holes, flanges, ribs, rails, or the like that canmate with and engage a grasping structure from the vehicle. The channels44 are located above the side rails 16 of the frame 12 when thecontainer 30 is positioned within the cavity 25 of the frame 12; theinward offset of the side rails 16 enables the channels 44 to fit withinthe frame 12.

[0026] Use of the system 10 and the security that it can provide can beunderstood by reference to FIGS. 2-6. During typical usage, thecontainer 30 is positioned within the storage cavity 25 of the frame 12.The sliding doors 36 of the container 30 are closed and locked (see FIG.2). With the doors 36 locked, access to the container 30 is blocked, asthe roof 24 covers the open end 42 of the container 30; only byunlocking the doors 36 (see FIG. 3) can trash be deposited in thecontainer 30 through an open window 37. As such, undesired use of thecontainer 30 by, for example, employees hiding stolen goods or thirdparties improperly dumping their own trash, can be prevented.

[0027] When the container 30 is to be emptied, a vehicle 50 with prongs52 approaches the front of the container 30, which, as is the caseduring normal usage, has its doors 36 locked. The prongs 52 are insertedinto the channels 44 on the container 30 (FIG. 4). The vehicle 50 thenslides the container 30 forwardly (FIG. 5) until the rear wall 40 of thecontainer 30 it clears the roof 24; this motion is assisted by thepresence of the side rails 16 of the frame 12, as they maintain thecontainer 30 at a height above the ground sufficient to avoidirregularities in the ground. After the rear wall 40 of the container 30has cleared the front edge of the roof 24, the vehicle 50 then lifts thecontainer 30 over a collection bed on the vehicle 50 and inverts it todump the trash contained in the container 30 out of the open upper end42 (FIG. 6). After emptying the container 30, the vehicle 50 thenreturns the container 30 to its position within the storage cavity 25 ofthe frame 12 guided by the lower guide rails 16 and the guides 22. Thismovement ceases when the rear wall 40 of the container 30 contacts thestops 17. Thus, emptying of the container 30 can be accomplished quicklyand easily, in much the same manner as conventionally performed, despitethe presence of the frame 12.

[0028] Another embodiment of a frame, designated broadly at 60, isillustrated in FIG. 7. The frame 60 includes crossbeams 62, side rails64, front uprights 66, and rear uprights 68 that correspond to the samestructures illustrated and described in connection with FIGS. 1-6.However, the frame 60 includes a much taller roof 70 that has side walls72, a rear wall (not shown), and a sloping front wall 74. The front wall74 includes sliding doors 76 through which trash can be deposited into acontainer. The frame 60 may be particularly useful when the container ispositioned below a dock or platform from which the trash wouldordinarily be dumped into the open end of the container 30′. The doors76 remain locked until trash is deposited, at which point they areunlocked for the deposition of trash, then re-locked afterward. Theframe 60 can, thus, provide a secured trash container system forcontainers positioned below docks or platforms.

[0029] An additional embodiment of a frame, designated broadly at 80, isillustrated in FIG. 8. The frame 80 is similar to the frame 60illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 7, but includes achute 82 for the deposition of trash into the container 30′ rather thansliding doors. This arrangement can also be used when the trash istypically deposited from a raised dock or platform.

[0030] Any of the embodiments illustrated and/or described herein mayalso provide a convenient mounting location for accessories for thecontainer system 10. For example, some containers include deodorizingunits that help to curb any undesired odors emanating from thecontainer. Also, some systems may include a fire suppression unit thatcan help to prevent unwanted fires. Other auxiliary units may also bemounted to the frame, and in particular to the roof, as may be desired.

[0031] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention, and isnot to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodimentsof this invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. As such, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention. The scope ofthe invention is to be defined by the following claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A secured trash container system,comprising: a container with side walls and an open top end, the sidewalls including engagement locations; and a protective frame, the frameincluding: a base; a plurality of uprights mounted with the base andextending upwardly therefrom, two of the uprights being separated fromeach other to define an open front side; and a roof supported by theuprights; the base, uprights and roof defining a storage cavity; whereinthe container resides in the storage cavity and the roof covers the opentop end of the container, and wherein the container is configured topass through the open front side of the frame.
 2. The system defined inclaim 1, wherein the frame comprises four uprights and is open to therear.
 3. The system defined in claim 1, wherein the roof includes asloped front panel.
 4. The system defined in claim 3, wherein the frontpanel includes a door.
 5. The system defined in claim 1, wherein theroof is adapted to receive an external trash chute.
 6. The systemdefined in claim 1, wherein the container includes a front wall having adoor.
 7. The system defined in claim 6, wherein the front wall doorincludes a lock.
 8. The system defined in claim 1, wherein the containerhas a volume of between about four and ten cubic yards.
 9. The systemdefined in claim 1, wherein the engagement locations on the containerside walls are configured to receive a prong inserted longitudinally.10. The system defined in claim 9, wherein the engagement locationscomprise channels mounted on the container side walls.
 11. The systemdefined in claim 1, wherein the frame includes side rails mounted to thebase, and the container rests on the side rails when the container ispositioned in the storage cavity.
 12. The system defined in claim 11,wherein the side rails include stops at their rearward ends to preventrearward movement of the container.
 13. The system defined in claim 11,wherein the side rails are inwardly offset from the frame uprights. 14.The system defined in claim 1, wherein the container includes a floorand feet mounted underneath the floor.
 15. The system defined in claim1, wherein the container includes a front wall, and wherein the roof andan upper edge of the container form a gap that is between about 1 and 3inches in height.
 16. A method of emptying trash from a trashcontainment system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing atrash containment system, the system including: a container with sidewalls and an open top end, the side walls including engagementlocations; and a protective frame, the frame including: a base; aplurality of uprights mounted with the base and extending upwardlytherefrom, two of the uprights being separated from each other to definean open front side; and a roof supported by the uprights; the base,uprights and roof defining a storage cavity; wherein the containerresides in the storage cavity and the roof covers the open top end ofthe container; (b) engaging the container with a trash collectionvehicle; (c) translating the engaged container forwardly through theopen front side of the frame with the vehicle; and (d) lifting andinverting the container over the vehicle to empty trash contained in thecontainer into the vehicle.
 17. The method defined in claim 16, furthercomprising the step of: (e) translating the container rearwardly throughthe open front side of the frame after completing step (d).
 18. Themethod defined in claim 16, wherein the container includes engagementlocations on the container side walls that are configured to receive aprong inserted longitudinally.
 19. The method defined in claim 18,wherein the engagement locations comprise channels mounted on thecontainer side walls.
 20. The method defined in claim 16, wherein one ofthe container front wall, side walls and rear wall includes doors thatcan be opened to receive trash within the container.